Coin-actuated mechanism.



N0. 799,673. PATENTED SEPT. 19

B. RICHTER. COIN AOTUATED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 1903.

4 SHEETSSHEET l.

- PATBNTED SEPT. 19, 1905.

E. RICHTER.

M s I N A H C E M D B T A U T C A N I 0 U AIPLICATIQN FILED NOV. 23, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 799,673. PATENTED SEPT. 19, 1905.

E. RICHTER.

COIN AGTUATED MECHANISM.

APPLIQATIOH FILED NOV. 23, 1903.

2 5 B0 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

\ I i 5 I g PATENTED SEPT. 19, 1905.

E. RICHTER.

COIN AGTUATED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 1903.

4 T B E H J S T E E E s 4 EMANUEL RICHTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COlN-ACTUATED MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1905.

Application filed November 23, 1903. Serial No. 182,231.

vide improved and eificient selecting means whereby the coins of various denominations will produce actions of a different character upon the same mechanism to be actuated by the coin, thus especially adapting the invention for uses where it is desirable to have only a single slot for the introduction of coins of all denominations and to require the operator to perform the same operation whether he deposits a coin of one denomination or another. It is obvious that a mechanism of this character is adapted for many and various uses;

but as an example of one of the uses to which it might be put-I have elected to illustrate it in this application in connection with a portable or toy bank for depositing the coins therein and simultaneously registering the total amount deposited.

With these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of novelty in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts by which the said objects and certain other objects hereinafter appearing are attained, all as fully described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the said drawings, Figure I is a perspective view of my invention as applied to a portable or toy bank. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof on the lines .2 2, Fig. 8. Fig. 3 is a similar section with parts broken away on the lines 3 3, Fig. 8. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the lines 4 4:, Fig. 8. Fig. 5 is a similar section on the line 5 5, Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6 6, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a similar section on the line 7 7, Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse section on the line 8 8, Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of the coin-selector and means for sup porting the coins therein, showing the latter in readiness to support the coins. Fig. 10 is a similar view showing the coin-rests thrown outwardly, and Fig. 11 is a detail face view of the two counting wheels or disks.

In the use of all coin-actuated mechanisms a casing for inclosing and protecting the mecl anism from being tampered with is of course desirable, and when my invention is applied to a toy or portable bank, as shown in this application, the casing may constitute the body or box 1 of the bank, which may be of any suitable form and provided in its upper side with a single coin-receiving slot 2. Secured to one side of the casing below this slot is a stud-shaft orpivot 3, held in place by any suitable means, such as a screw or rivet 4, and on this shaft is pivoted the coin-selector mechanism, comprising an upright chute 5, which is located under and in the same vertical plane as the slot 2 and is of sufficient width to receive coins of the largest denomination intended to be deposited in the apparatus, and in addition to this chute 5 the said selector comprises a series of rests 6 7 8 9, equal in number to the various denominations of coins intended to be deposited. These rests, as more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5, are arranged at different distances from one of the side walls of the chute 5, and thus constitute an upright graduated series of coin-supports within the selector, a term which is applied to this part of the invention because of its ability to hold coins of different denominations in different positions with relation to the parts of the mechanism to be actuated by the coins, respectively. This mechanism to be actuated by the coins comprises an arm or plate 10, which is also pivoted on the shaft 3 independently of the chute 5 and is provided with a number of lugs or projecting points 11 12 13 14, which project into the path of the coins held on said rests 6 7 8 9, respectively, when the coin selector or chute 5 is oscillated in such a manner as to be engaged by the coins, and thereby impart oscillation to the arm or plate 10, whose movement is in turn imparted to a ratchet-wheel 15 or other member to be actuated through the intermediary of a pawl 16, normally pressed into engagement therewith by spring 17, the construction being such that when the arm lOmakes a return movement the wheel 15 remains at rest and the ratchet slides thereover in a well-known manner. The movement of this ratchet-wheel may be utilized for operating a register or any other mechanism which it is desired to operate by depositing the coins. As an example of one of such uses the invention is shown in coni nection with a registering mechanisi'n com- 1 prising a disk 18 and an annular ring 19, secured to one face of the ratchet-wheel 15. The ring 19 may represent the units and the disk 18 the tens, or by making the ring 19 of suflicient diameter, as shown in Fig. 11, it may also represent tens and hundreds and disk 18 thousands. The back of the disk 18 is provided with lugs 20, which are engaged 1 successively by a tooth 21 on the periphery of disk 19 each time thelatter makes a complete rotation, as is well understood in counting machines or registers.

All of the rests 6 7 8 9 are removable out of the path of the coins, so that after the register has been actuated the coins may be released and allowed to descend through the chute 5 into a coin-compartment 22, partitioned off in the casing 1 by a vertical plate 23, in which is formed a short chute 24, direetly under the lower end of the chute 5, in such a position as to catch the coins as they descend from chute 5 and deflect them into the compartment 22, from which they may be removed through door 25. In order that the rests 6 7 8 9 may be thus thrown out of action, they are all mounted upon the inner face of a bar 26, which is pivotally supported by a pair of arms 27 on a shaft 28, journaled in ears 29 on the edge of chute 5 and having a spring 30, which acts upon one of the arms 27 for throwing the bar 26 inward and holding the rests in their operative positions across the coin-chute 5. The lower end of the bar 26 is provided with a lug 31, which is so arranged that when the coin-ehute 5 makes its return movement and is about to come into register with the slot 2 it comes into engagement With a cam 32, held in position in any suitable way, as by arm or bracket 33, and thereby forces the bar 26 outwardly and permits the coin, should it be supported on either of the rests 6 7 8 9, to descend through the chute5and via the chute 2 1 into the compartment 22. Further movement of the chute 5 in the return direction brings the lug 31 opposite a notch 34: at the back of the cam 82, and thereby permits the spring to return the rests to their operative positions across the coin-chute.

The lugs 11 12 13 1-1, which are engaged, respectively, by the coins resting upon the rests 6 7 8 9, are arranged at such distances from the initial or starting position of the coins and at such positions relative to the center of oscillation of the arm 10 that the movement of such arm 10, induced by a coin against any one of these various lugs, will be in proportion to the size or value of the coin and will consequently produce a proportional movement of the ratchet-wheel 15. Thus the coin of the largest denomination, which is illustrated in dotted lines at 35 in Fig. 5,

while resting against its support or rest 6 will produce a greater degree of oscillation of the arm 10 than the next sized coin 36 resting on rest 7 below it, and so on down the series, and consequently the figures on the face of the ring 19 may be so disposed as to utilize these various degrees of rotation of the ring for indicating ditferent amounts appearing opposite a suitable observation-aperture 37 in casing 1.

The initial or starting position of the coinselector chute 5 is that which is shown in Fig. 5, where it directly registers with the slot 2, and it is supported in this by a stop 38, and the limit of its oscillation toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 5, is that which is indicated in Fig. 3, and it is arrested when reaching this position by any suitable stop 39 on the casing 1, and it is capable of moving into these positions independently of the arm 10, excepting when a coin is supported on one of the rests 6 7 8 9, the back of the chute 5 being formed with transverse slots or passages 40 41 42 13 for the passage of the lugs 11 12 13 1 1, respectively, as the chute 5 moves therepast. The coin-selector, com prising the chute 5. is thus actuated by a handle or lever from the exterior of the casing 1. This lever is shown in the form of an arm 14:, pivoted on the shaft 3 and having a knob 45 projecting through a slot 46, formed in the back of the casing, the purpose of the slot being to permit the movement of the knob 4.5 and the slot being closed at all times by suitable projections 47 18, formed on or secured to the arm 4A. This operating-arm 44 has a limited movementin both directions independently of both the chute 5 and arm 10, and it imparts movement to the chute 5 only through the intermediary of two lugs 19 50, carried on the projections 17 18, respectively. By thus permitting the arm 44 to move inde 'iendently of the chute 5 at the beginning of its movement in one direction the arm may be provided with a slide 51, arranged under the curved top 52 of the casing, so as to close the slot 2 before the chute 5 begins to move and keep it closed during the balance of the movement, and it also provides for the necessary maximum movement of the ratchet-wheel 15 without having to move the chute 5 the entire distance.

In order that the register may not be tampered with by operating the ratchet-wheel15 while the chute 5 is open through the slot 2, such wheel is provided with locking means comprising a dog 52, held into engagement with a tooth of the wheel by spring in such a manner that the wheel may rotate in either direction when the dog is not otherwise restrained; butjust before the chute5 comes into register with the slot2 alinger or projection 54 on the arm 14C engages over" a boss 55 on the top of dog 52 and prevents the latter from rising out of engagement with the teeth, the projection 54 being struck on aconcentricarc with the are of oscillation of arm -14, so that its ac' tion on the boss remains operative during a considerable portion of the oscillation of arm 4:4. Dog 52 also serves as a means of prevent ing the arm 10 from being jostled about on its pivot when the projection 5a is out of engagement with 55. The return movementof arm 10 is limited by astop 56, which may be formed on the same piece 57 which carries stop 38, and the arm 10 being provided on one side with a pin 58, which strikes against stop 56, and on the other side with a pin 59, which is engaged by a hook or lug 60, secured on the back of chute 5 for returning the arm 10 to its initial or starting position should it be out of position when the chute5 is making its return movement.

After the chute 5 has been oscillated toward the right for actuating the registering mechanism and is making its return movement preparatory to releasingthe coin it is desirable that the chute be provided with means for preventing the coin from being removed by inverting the device or preventing an instrument from being inserted into the chute 5 as it approaches the slot 2, and thus holding the coin from dropping through the chute. A convenient and simple means for accomplishing this consists of a small obstruction 61, arranged to project across the top of the chute 5 and secured by arm 62 to one of the arms 27 in such a manner that when lug 31 engages cam 32 for releasing the coin the obstruction 61 will be projected across the chute 5 and held there until the coin falls through. This undesirable manipulation of the apparatus is also further safeguarded by means of agrav ity-lock which holds the arm 44 against movement in either direction excepting when the apparatus is held in an upright normal position. This lock consists of a member 63, loosely pivoted by pivot 64 to the wall of the casing and provided with a weigth 65 for maintaining its equilibrium, the oscillation of member 63 being limited by stop 66 engaging in an opening 67, and on the upper end of this member 63 are formed arms 68 69, which carry inclines or stops 7O 71 72, arranged at different angles of inclination and adapted at various times to be engaged by and arrest a lug 73, projecting laterally from the face of a finger 74:, formed on arm 44. The finger% is capableof passing behind the inner ends of the stops 7O ,71 72, which, as shown in Fig. 7, are held at a slight distance from the wall of the casing; but should the casing be tilted out of its normal perpendicular position the weight 65 will project one of the stops 70 71 72 into the line of movement of the lug73, and thereby arrest the movement of the arm 14: until the device is restored to its normal position. It is readily seen, therefore, that should the device be turned upside down for the purpose of tilting the coins out one or the other of the stops 70 71 72 would project across the path of the lug 7 3, and, indeed, this would be the result even if the device were tilted any considerable degree out of its normal position.

In order that a false register may not be offected by moving the o 'ierating-levereef backward and forward after a coin has been deposited, and thus producing a large number of short strokes of the arm 10, the operatingarm 44 is provided with a lock which prevents it from moving in but one direction until it has completed its entire movement in that direction and which look then reverses and performs the same function during the reverse movement of arm 44. This lock consists of a tipping double pawl having two engaging members 75 76, which are adapted to alternately come into engagement with segment-rack 77, formed on arm 4A, the said double pawl being pivoted at 78 and having a V-shaped nose 79, engaged by a V-spring 80 in such a way that the pawl may be tilted into position for having either of its engaging teeth 75 16 hold the rack 77. The pawl is thus tilted when the arm 44; reaches the limit of its stroke in one direction by a leg 81 and in the opposite direction by a lug 82, both mounted on segmentrack 77 and adapted to alternately engage a tailpiece 83 on the double pawl.

IVith a device thus constructed it will be seen that the chute, being adapted for a number of different sizes of coins, a coin of any of such sizes may be deposited and will lodge against one of the rests or lugs 6 7 8 9. If new the knob 45 be pushed to the left, Fig.

1, the arm 4A will move the chute 5 toward i the right, Fig. 3, carrying the coin against one of the lugs 11 12 13 14c, and thereby also oscillate the arm 10 toward the right, causing the pawl 16 to rotate ratchet-wheel 15 and actuate the register 18 19, as before described. When the knob 45 is returned, the pin or lug 31 engages cam or incline 32, and thus throws all of the lugs 11 12 13 14 outwardly, allowing the coin to drop through into the compartment 22.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a coinactuated mechanism, the combination of a coin-selector, comprising supports of different widths arranged in an upright graduated series for holding coins of differentdenominationsin different positions, a mechanism to be actuated by the coins comprising means adapted to engage the coins while in said selector, and means for subsequentl y withdrawing said supports and releasing the coins from said selector.

2. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of a coin-selector, comprising a series of supports for coins of different denominations and each support comprising a removable side, a mechanism to be actuated by the coins comprising means adapted to engage the coins while in said selector, and means for subsequently Withdrawing said removable IIO &

sides simultaneously and releasing from the coins said removable sides of the supports.

3. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of a coin-selector comprising supports of different widths arranged in an upright graduated series and each support comprising aremovable side for holding coins of' different denominations, a mechanism to be actuated by the coins while held on said supports, comprising means adapted to be en gaged by the coins when the selector moves in one direction, and means for simultaneously withdrawing the removable sides of said supports when the selector moves in the opposite direction.

t. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the conibination of a coin-selector, comprising a chute through which coins of various denominations may pass, and removable rests in said chute located at different distances from one side of the chute for supporting coins in different positions, a mechanism to be actuated by the coins while on said rests, col'nprising means adapted to be engaged by said coins, and means for subsequently releasing said rests from the coins.

5. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of' a coin selector, comprising a chute through which all of the coins of different denominations may pass, removable rests in said chute arranged at different elevations and at different distances from the side of the chute for supporting coins of different denominations in different positions, a bar to which all of said rests are secured, means for throwing said bar in and out causing the rests to alternately engage and release the coins, and mechanism to be actuated by the coins on said rests.

6. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of a coin-selector, comprising a coinchute and rests in said chute for supporting coins of different denominations respectively, mechanism to be actuated by the coins on said rests comprising lugs, said chute having slots for the passage of said lugs into engagement with the coins on said rests, and means for releasing the rests from the coins.

7. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of' an oscillatory selector, comprising means for holding coins of different denominations in different positions, mechanism to be actuated by the coins in said selector, comprising an oscillatory arm, means on said arm adapted to be engaged by the coins in said selector, a ratchet and a pawl carried by said arm for engaging said ratchet, and means for releasing the coins from said selector.

8. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of apivoted oscillatory coin-selector, comprising removable means for holding coins of different denominations, a cam for releasing said coin-holding means when said selector is moved in one direction, and mechanism to be actuated by coins, comprising means adapted to engage the coins when the selector moves in the opposite direction.

9. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of a pivoted oscillatory coin-selector, comprising means for holding coins of differ ent denominations, an oscillatory bar carrying said coin-holding means and comprising alug, a cam for engaging said lug when said selector is moved. in one direction, and thereby releasing said coin-holding means, and said cam having a notch through which said lug passes when the selector moves in the opposite direction, and mechanism to be actuated by the coins, comprising means for engaging the coins while in said selector.

10. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of a coin-selector, comprising a chute for receiving coins of different denominations, and means therein for detaining the coins, mechanism independent of said coin-selector to be actuated by the coins in the selector, comprising means for the engagement of' the coins in the selector, an operating-lever having a limited movement independent of both said selector and mechanism to be actuated by the coins, and means for imparting the movement of said lever to said selector.

11. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of a coin-selector, comprising a chute for receiving the coins and means therein for detaining the coins, mechanism independent of said selector to be actuated by the coins in the selector, comprising means for the engagement of' the coins, an operating-lever having a limited movement independent of both said selector and mechanism to be actuated by the coins, a slide actuated by said lever for closing said chute during the initial movement of the lever, and means for imparting the subsequent movement of' the lever to the selector.

12. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of' a coin-selector, comprising a chute for receiving the coins and means therein for detaining the coins, mechanism independent of said selector to be actuated by the coins, comprising means for the engagement of' the coins, an operating-lever having a limited movement independent of' both said selector and mechanism to be actuated by the coins, a slide actuated by said lever for closing said chute during the independent movement of the lever in one direction, means connected with said lever for locking the mechanism to be actuated by the coins until said slide closes said chute, and means for imparting a part of the movement of said lever to said selector.

13. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of a coin-selector movable to and fro, and comprising a chute for receiving the coins and means therein for detaining the coins, a casin g having a coin-slot with which said chute is adapted to register, mechanism to be actuated by the coins in said selector, a lock for holding said latter mechanism against operation while said chute registers with said slot,

a lever for actuating said chute to move to and fro, and means relatively related to said lever for closing said chute as it approaches said slot.

14. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of mechanism to be actuated by the coins, means for holding the coin while thus actuating said mechanism, an operating-lever for moving said coin-holding means, and a gravity-lock for holding said operating-lever against movement while out of a predetermined position.

15. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of mechanism to be actuated by the coin, means for holding the coin while thus actuating said mechanism, an operating-lever for moving said coin-holding means, comprising a toothed segment, adouble pawl engaging said segment and comprising a cam, a spring pressing said cam, two trips carried by said lever for alternately tilting said pawl in opposite directions, a lug carried by said lever, and a gravity-lock having a plurality of engaging faces arranged at different angles of inclination for engaging With said lug when the device is held out of a predetermined position.

16. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of a counter or register, comprising a ratchet-wheel, an arm pivoted concentrically with said wheel and having a pawl engaging the same, a number of lugs carried by said arm, a coin-selector comprising a chute for receiving the coins, and means in said chute for holding coins of different denominations opposite said lugs respectively, means for oscillating said coin-selector and actuating said arm when moving in one direction, and means for releasing the coins when moving in the opposite direction.

17. In a coin-actuated mechanism, the combination of a coin-selector, comprising an oscillatory chute for receiving the coins, rests projecting across said chute for holding coins of difierent denominations therein, means for obstructing the chute at its inlet end operatively connected with said rests, mechanism to be actuated by the coins in said chute when the chute is moved in one direction, and means for sim ultancously withdrawing said rests and obstructing the inlet end of said chute when the chute is moved in the opposite direction.

EMANUEL RICHTER.

"itnesses:

F. A. HOPKINs, M. B. ALLSTADT. 

